Surgery Day

Tony woke me up at 5 a.m. the morning of my surgery. “Happy Valentine’s Day”, he said smiling, “today is the day”. Even though our Valentine plans to go wine tasting in Warner Springs had been thwarted, it would be a Valentine’s Day to remember. A mix of strong emotions swirled inside of me— anxiety, hope, relief, and fear. I got out of bed and wiped my body with the required Chlorhexidine Gluconate wipes, got dressed, chugged the electrolytes my doctor ordered, and hopped in the car and started the hour-long drive to Moreno Valley Hospital. 

When we arrived at the hospital, they checked me in, and I had some time in the waiting room with Tony. In those quiet moments waiting to get called, a strong wave of overwhelm and anxiety came over me, and I started to cry. It was a lot to take in, and I was finally feeling the weight of my situation— even though it was the best for me. 

The nurse finally came out to get me, and I kissed Tony, told him I loved him, and was led back to the pre-op room where they put me in the most comfortable hospital bed I’ve ever laid in. They had me change into a hospital gown and those great hospital socks with the grip on both sides. The nurse was so amazing and explained everything to me. I let her know I was feeling some fear, and she reassured me that was normal and I wouldn’t be human if I wasn’t a little scared. She was just so comforting. 

They hooked me up to an IV and performed some tests, including an EKG, which all came back good to go. My doctor (he was also doing the surgery) came in to see how I was doing and introduced me to his surgical team, including the lead nurse, another doctor, and the anesthesiologist. He again went over the procedure— a full laparoscopic hysterectomy with Bilateral Salpingo-Oophorectomy taking my ovaries, tubes, uterus, and cervix, along with the risks, and asked if I had any questions. The anesthesiologist also asked me some questions and gave me a shot of something to ease my anxiety. 

After the shot, I was feeling good and high, and all my fear disappeared (whatever he gave me was good stuff). He asked me if I was ready. I giggled and told him how high I was and that, yes, I was ready. He rolled me into the operating room where my doctor and his team were waiting. 

All I remember from there was moving to the operating table and having an oxygen mask put on me— and then it was lights out.

I woke up to my nurse standing over me, smiling, and she said, “You’re awake!” 

The first words out of my mouth were: “Did I die?”

She assured me I was very much alive.

“Is this a dream?” 

She assured me I was very much awake and brought Tony into my room. I was so relieved to see him and felt so grateful to be out of surgery and okay. 

I was starting to come to and feeling lots of pain, so she upped my pain dosages until I felt better. She helped me into a binder, which she said would help support my abdominal muscles, reduce strain on incision sites, and minimize swelling by promoting circulation. She helped me back into my clothes (I realized I chose my outfit of a soft terry cloth dress wisely as it was easy to put on with the binder and incisions). She was going over all of the post-surgery information, like when to shower, when to take off my bandages, etc., which thankfully Tony was listening to because the pain medication had kicked in, and I couldn’t concentrate on anything. 

My doctor came in to tell me everything went well and the surgery was successful. I expressed my gratitude for him and told him I owe him flowers as a thank you. I am so grateful for him and his team— it couldn’t have gone any better.

I was discharged, and my nurse rolled me in a wheelchair out front where Tony picked me up in the car. I carefully got into the front seat and mentally prepared for the ride home and my multi-month-long recovery.